Man accused of fondling himself in front of real estate agent

APPLE VALLEY — A registered sex offender was arrested after allegedly posing as a prospective homebuyer and fondling himself in front of a real estate agent during an open house.

Authorities said Tuesday they believe this may not have been his first time employing the purported scheme.

Dustin Briggs, 36, of Apple Valley, was arrested Monday on suspicion of lewd activity, a day after he allegedly fondled himself.

At roughly 2 p.m. Sunday, authorities say Briggs attended a real estate open house on Allegheny Road, waited as the agent showed the home to interested buyers and stood by until they left.

“Once alone, Briggs followed the victim as they toured the house,” San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials said in a statement. “Briggs placed his hands inside his pants throughout the contact. Due to Briggs’ behavior, the victim feared for her safety.”

But Briggs had also written his information on a sign-in sheet upon entering the home, authorities said, and deputies were able to use it to identify him.

A warrant was issued for his arrest. He was taken into custody Monday and booked into the High Desert Detention Center in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Investigators believe there may be more victims and ask if any other real estate agents or private citizens who have hosted an open house have had a similar interaction with Briggs to contact Deputy Jared Sacapano at the Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station at 760-240-7400.

Authorities also sought to use the incident as an opportunity to offer safety tips to Realtors or any other citizen hosting an open house: “If possible, host with someone else there. Let someone know where you will be and an expected schedule. Provide updates throughout the day.”

Updates can be merely a text or quick phone call, they say, and if the schedule changes, let someone know.

“Tell someone when you are done for the day and have safely left the location,” authorities added. “Have a sign-in sheet and require visitors to sign-in.”

Shea Johnson can be reached at 760-955-5368 orSJohnson@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter at@DP_Shea.